BHP, unions reach deal in Qld

Negotiations between three unions representing 3000 workers at BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) coalmines in Queensland and management have ended, with workers set to vote in October.

Neither side would comment on the terms, but the Weekend Financial Review understands the unions were satisfied with the final deal and would recommend it to workers, possibly ending the two-year dispute. Union delegates in Queensland had rejected earlier offers from BMA, with issues over employee housing said to be in contention.

However, Friday’s announcement signalled BMA had reached a compromise with the unions.

BHP and the single bargaining unit representing the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, the Electrical Trades Union, and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union expect the process of communicating the outcomes to employees and the conducting of a ballot to be finished by the end of October.

Negotiations in the dispute arose after Workplace Relations Minister
Bill Shorten
intervened in July and appointed former ACTU secretary
Bill Kelty
to mediate. The parties signed a memorandum of understanding on July 6 setting out a program of meetings at all BMA mines and detailed negotiations. The talks were overseen by Fair Work Australia senior deputy ­president Alan Boulton.